It will be a matchup of two teams headed in opposite directions when the Houston Rockets (60-14) and Chicago Bulls (24-49) battle at Toyota Center. The Rockets have won nine consecutive games, while the Bulls are on a five-game losing streak. The game starts at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 27, 2018, and will air on ATTSN Southwest.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 218 points with Houston set as a 17.5-point favorite.
Chicago Bulls at Houston Rockets ATS Prediction
In the Bulls’ last matchup, they were thoroughly outplayed by the Detroit Pistons, 117-95. One of Detroit’s largest strengths was their ability to convert at the free throw line. They were 15-18 (83.3 percent), while the Bulls were just 6-9 (66.7 percent). Jerian Grant had a solid game for Chicago, contributing 10 points and 10 assists.
The Rockets dismantled the Atlanta Hawks in their last game, 118-99. Houston’s 0.600 effective field goal percentage was their largest strength over Atlanta, who had a mark of 0.506. The Rockets’ mark was above their season average of 0.553. With 18 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds, James Harden led the way for Houston with his third triple-double this season.
The high-powered offense of Houston (first in the league with an offensive efficiency of 113.8) will clash against the bottom-tier defense of Chicago (27th in the league with a defensive efficiency of 110.0). The Rockets figure to have the advantage on that end of the court. Also, the Bulls rank 25th in offensive rebounding percentage (20.5 percent), while the Rockets rank third in defensive rebounding percentage (80.0 percent).
Chicago holds records of 24-49 straight up (SU) and 36-34-3 against the spread (ATS). Of the Bulls’ 73 games, 40 have finished over the total.
Meanwhile, Houston is 60-14 SU and 39-33-2 ATS. In opposition of Chicago, a little over half of Rockets games have finished under the total.
Cristiano Felicio has averaged 12.6 points and 7.0 rebounds over the last five games for Chicago.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. Kris Dunn had 19 points and eight assists in the first matchup, in which the Bulls lost 116-107, unable to cover as 6-point underdogs. The game finished with a total of 223 points, which was just 3 points above the projected point total of 220 points. The Rockets had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (24.4 vs. 7.0) and had a better free throw rate (0.209 vs. 0.174).
Chicago Bulls vs. Houston Rockets Pick
NBA Prediction: SU Winner – Rockets, ATS Winner – Rockets, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Chicago is 17-18-1 ATS on the road with 22 overs and 14 unders.
Houston is 15-20-1 ATS at home with 18 overs and 18 unders.
When allowing under 100 points, Houston is 29-2 and Chicago is 6-6.
In games where they score over 100 points, the Rockets are 58-11 and the Bulls are 22-24.
Houston ranks first in three pointers attempted per game (42.3) while Chicago ranks 28th in three pointers allowed per game (31.8).
The Rockets rank third in rebounds allowed per game (41.7) while the Bulls rank 28th (45.7).
Houston ranks sixth in points off turnovers per game (17.6) while Chicago ranks 26th (14.7).
The Rockets rank 10th in assists allowed per game (22.6) while the Bulls rank 27th (25.7).
Houston ranks fifth in steals per game (8.5) while Chicago ranks 21st (7.4).
The Rockets rank 16th in blocks per game (4.8) while the Bulls rank last (3.6).
Chicago ranks 15th in points allowed in the paint per game (44.8) while Houston ranks 28th (48.5).
The Bulls average 11.8 fast break points per game, which ranks 14th in the league. The Rockets rank 15th in fast break points allowed per game (11.7).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Chicago is 1-4 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
Houston is 3-1-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games.
The Bulls’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 18.2, up from 6.7 for the season.
During their last five games, the Rockets have scored an average of 115.2 points per game (1.7 above their season average) and allowed an average of 103.4 points per game (1.0 below their season average).
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